A volunteer providing security at a protest in the US state of Utah has been charged with manslaughter after shooting and killing an innocent bystander. The incident, a tragic case of mistaken identity and lethal force, has cast a harsh spotlight on the volatile mix of firearms and public demonstrations.

The case raises critical questions for citizens everywhere, including Kenya: what is the role of armed civilians in keeping the peace, and what are the consequences when their judgment proves fatal? For Kenyans, where protests are a frequent feature of the political landscape and private gun ownership is strictly regulated, this story from abroad serves as a stark cautionary tale.

A Fatal Miscalculation

On June 14, Matthew Scott Alder, 43, was part of a volunteer "safety team" at a 'No Kings' protest in Salt Lake City. He spotted another man, 24-year-old Arturo Gamboa, assembling an AR-15 style rifle nearby. Believing Gamboa was about to commit a mass shooting, Alder fired three shots.

While one shot wounded Gamboa, a third, stray bullet struck and killed Arthur “Afa” Ah Loo, a 39-year-old fashion designer and father who was merely recording the protest. Investigators later determined Gamboa's rifle was not loaded. He had a history of carrying the weapon to protests, believing it was for the protection of demonstrators.

The Weight of the Law

Salt Lake County District Attorney Sim Gill announced the manslaughter charge against Alder, emphasizing that the third shot was reckless. "While you may have a right to use lethal force, that doesn’t mean that lethal force can be used in a reckless manner," Gill noted in a press conference. If convicted, Alder could face up to 15 years in prison.

No charges will be filed against Gamboa, the man with the rifle. The District Attorney cited Utah's liberal open-carry gun laws, which permitted Gamboa to have the weapon in a public space, even if his actions were perceived as alarming.

A Kenyan Perspective on Protest Safety

The events in Utah stand in sharp contrast to Kenyan law. Article 37 of the Kenyan Constitution guarantees the right to protest, but strictly on the condition that participants are "peaceful and unarmed." The possession of any weapon at a public gathering is illegal. Furthermore, acquiring a firearm license in Kenya is an intentionally rigorous process, requiring psychiatric evaluations, extensive background checks, and a compelling reason for ownership, a far cry from the open-carry laws seen in parts of the United States.

This case highlights the different approaches to public safety and underscores the ongoing debate in Kenya about the role of police versus private security and the strict controls on firearms intended to prevent such tragedies from occurring on our own soil.

Laura Ah Loo, the victim's widow, expressed her hope that the charge against Alder would set a precedent for safer public gatherings in the future. "No one else should have to go through what me and my children have experienced," she stated, a sentiment that resonates far beyond the borders of Salt Lake City.